Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, I entrust my life into Your hands, for You see all my troubles and You care about the anguish of my soul.

 

Son, for those that trust Me with their life on earth – there is great goodness ahead for them. I will give them My goodness generously. When My children come to Me for protection, I will bless them before the watching world. They will live in My shelter, for I protect those who are loyal to Me.

 

In the coming days people will be terrified of what they see and hear. People will speak out of fear and cry out to Me,  “Have mercy on me and help me if you can.” What do they mean, “If I can?” Everything is possible when you believe that I am the One and only Savior for the world. 

 

Lord, I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief! For, I desire a place of honor next to You in Your Kingdom. Help me to be willing to drink from the bitter cup of suffering that Your servants each have had to drink from. You have not hidden from us – what is yet to come. Help me not to be deceived by my own pride, but make this new heart that You’ve given me even more sensitive to You and Your word. Lord, I don’t want to fall away from You when persecution comes like You  told me about.

 

Son, it is a noble desire to have a place of honor in My Kingdom; therefore, be My servant and follow Me!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one, I’m just a builder. But you have told me, “Tell America that it is ripe for punishment. The leaders no longer ask Me for guidance. They are planning to be like Europe. Therefore, I will not delay giving them what they deserve.”

 

Tell My children to listen to My message, and if they want to return Me, they must get rid of their false worship of Me. For it is a farce, nothing more than man-made ideas. If they really want to be My followers they must turn from their selfish ways, take up their cross, and follow Me. I require them to turn their hearts to Me and obey only Me and then I will rescue them in the coming days.

 

I will test My children to see if they will truly follow Me. For, a time is coming when I will send a famine on the land, but not a famine of bread or water but that of hearing from Me. Today people proudly honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. These people will suffer in the coming days; for what they thought would hold them up and keep them going – will fail them.

 

My children must listen for My voice; for it is powerful and majestic. My voice can split the mighty cedars. My voice strikes with bolts of lightning. My voice can make the earth shake. My voice can twist mighty oaks and strip the forests bare. So it is very important in the coming days to listen to Me and follow My voice!

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I never do anything until I reveal My plans to My prophets. Therefore, My children should have understanding about what is coming. So why would some of My chidlren not be prepared? Will they say we heard, but did not understand what we were being told. Those children of Mine who do not understand will fall away in the coming days when they are persecuted for believing My Word. Why? The message to remain faithful is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth and the desire for worldly things – and so they have no fruit. But, when My children hear and accept My message they will be prepared and produce more than they think can be done. 

 

So My children, pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given. Faith comes by listening to Me and then acting upon on what I say. Don’t be suprised that when you act upon what I say there will come a wall of oppostion to try and stop you. Remember that when you take your eyes off My promises and put them on the wall of oppostion you will doubt that I care about you and then make bad choices. You need to ask yourself why you are afraid? Could it be that your faith is too small and that you do not believe what I said I would do for you?

 

Lord, help me not to be afraid, for my heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with Me.” You have always been my helper, and You will not leave me now, or abandon me at any time. Teach me how to live, and lead me along the right path. Help me to wait patiently for You to fullfill Your promises. Help me to be brave and courageous, for You are my strength and shield. I trust You with all my heart, and my heart is filled with Your joy. You will give me the wisdom and strength to walk through the wall of oppostion.

Needed: Reformation – Chapter 16

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

The Word of God – Part 1

 

Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

 

Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

 

When we pray for reformation we are praying for His people to come back to the Word of God. Our US Supreme Court has announced that it is unconstitutional for the TEN COMMANDMENTS to be hung in our court rooms. We can hang them in our State Houses, but not in the courts. How ridiculous this is when the Supreme Court itself has a statue of Moses the Law Giver as well as the Ten Commandments in different places throughout the highest court in the nation.

 

The Bible has been banned from our public schools and some are trying to get it banned from any public forum. What these so-called elites are wanting is a secular society – with no mention of God and morality. This is why in our postmodern world there is no such thing as truth. It has been banned as well. What is the result? Isaiah tells us in 59:14-15 “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.”

 

What this is telling us is that there is no honesty, no truth and no justice working in the areas of our public lives. How long can a society function like this? Not long. In our Western world we are going down a path where we will soon reach a place of no return. Reformation is urgent! Reformation will bring us back to the Word of God. We, His people, must begin to see His Holy Word for what it really is – the very Word of God for our lives.  

 

A REPORT by the Bible literacy program suggests that young Americans know very little about the Bible. But what is a real stunner is that a fair number of Americans don’t see why teenagers should know anything at all about the Bible.

 

A study was done by a major denomination trying to find out why so many pastors were leaving the pastorate. They came up with four things. First, they were treating the pastorate like just another profession and not as a calling. Secondly, immorality was a major reason why many were leaving the pastorate. Thirdly, a desire for material things and fourthly (this is the one that blew me away), is what they called biblical illiteracy. They did not know the Bible although many were seminary graduates and some even doctors of theology. They did not know the Word of God as they should. They had studied books about the Bible and they could give you all the arguments about higher criticism, etc., but they did not know it in a personal way; how it applies to them personally, as well as knowing it from beginning to end.

 

This is why in another survey done by Frank Barna, he concluded that almost one half of the protestant pastors did not operate from a biblical worldview. They were ignorant of the Word of God and consequently this was true of the congregations as well.

 

Reformation brings us back to the Word of God in a very personal way.

 

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, let Me tell you the true story of Christmas. My birth is very important but what took place on the day I died is the real story of Christmas. So let Me tell you the story as I saw it and felt it.

 

On the day of My death, I was stripped and flogged with a lead-tipped whip. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on My head. They placed a reed stick in My right hand as a scepter. They knelt before Me in mockery and taunted Me by saying, “Hail! King of the Jews!” They spit on Me and grabbed the stick and struck Me on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking Me, they nailed Me to the cross, by piercing My hands and feet with nails. When that cross was dropped into the hole all My bones came out of joint so that I could count all My bones. My heart was like wax, melting within Me. My strength was dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue stuck to the roof of My mouth. Soldiers gambled for My clothes by throwing dice, and all of My enemies stared at Me and gloated.

 

When Mary came to My tomb to take care of My dead body, she was met by one of My angels, who said, “He is not here! He has risen from the dead,” just as I said would happen. Therefore, now is the time to turn to Me, while there is still time. Give Me your hearts. Come to Me, for I am merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I am eager to relent and not punish, and everyone who calls on the Name of Jesus Christ will be saved. This is the true story of Christmas!

 

Lord, You have been my God from the moment I was born, and I called on You to be my Savior as a young man. You have not ignored or belittled Me when I have cried out to You. You have never turned Your back on me, but have listened to my cries for help. Soon the whole earth will acknowledge You and all the nations will bow down before You. What a Day that will be!

Needed: Reformation – Chapter 15

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Who is Man? Part 6

Post-modernism and Culture 
Worldview and the Gospel

 

1 Corinthians 15:4-8 “…that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”

 

Another aspect of the Gospel that we need to consider is in the verses above.  Jesus Christ was buried; He rose from the grave and was seen by a number of witnesses, over five hundred witnesses at one time.This is good news!

 

God had told us that every matter should be established by the testimony of two or more witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19:15) However, how does this build a Biblical worldview? Francis Schaeffer talks about the “mannishness of man.”  He said: “This draws attention to the fact that humans are different from all other things in the world.  Several things bring this out:  1. Creativity; 2. People fear death; 3. We are able to choose and we are able to verbalize.  People are able to remember the past and make plans for the future.”

 

For a worldview to be a true worldview it must answer this question about man, what Schaeffer called the “mannishness of man.” With the Gospel being the core of a biblical worldview we see how this question is answered. When I think of what Christ has done for me (for man) it makes me realize that I (or man) am different from all other creatures. I can think, verbalize, create, love, fear, feel and express emotion, etc. One of the things that Francis Schaeffer brings out is that man fears death.

 

There seems to be within the heart of man a sense for the eternal. Even in our post-modern culture we see this coming out with man trying to remain young and not looking old. Look at the medicines being propagated that will reduce aging and exercises that we do to remain healthy. Pseudo spiritual mantras are being voiced and all because of the sense of the eternal in the heart of man placed there by God.

 

Man knows that he is different, but why?  The Gospel tells us that man is unique, made in the image of God. Man has a longing for eternal life because God has placed eternity in his heart. Man fears death. But the Gospel gives us hope. Jesus rose from the dead. To collaborate this truth He was seen after the resurrection by over five hundred brethren at one time.

 

So what does the Gospel teach me?
1. God made the world and He is in control.
2. Man is made in the image of God. Man is different from other creatures.
3. Man has sinned and fallen out of fellowship with God his Maker.
4. Jesus died for my sin so I might be forgiven and brought back into fellowship with God.
5. Jesus rose from the dead and so will I.

 

Another question that comes is: Why do I know that this is true? The answer lies in the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 15 states that “according to the Scriptures” we know this is true.

 

These are the core beliefs in creating a biblical worldview.  How important it is to be grounded in these truths!

Needed: Reformation – Chapter 14

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Who is Man? Part 5

 

If paradise has been lost it can be regained. Man can be regenerated. The image that we had can be renewed. This is one of the great truths in the Word of God. Instead of the devil’s image of pride, malice and envy – the righteousness and goodness of God’s image can be recovered.

 

Colossians 3:10 “…and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

 

This image repair can be accomplished only by God. In Hebrews 1:3 it says: “…who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” He is the only One that can restore His image in us. How did He do this? This is what the Cross of Jesus is all about. This is why reformation is so important. It brings us back to the cross and what it means. In Adam we die, but in Christ we are made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)

 

Truly God does all things well. In the future there will not only be the blessings of the resurrection, eternal life, immortality and all being manifested with Christ, but also a restoration of the dominion that we lost through sin.

 

When Christ returns He will exercise all the power over His creation that was lost through sin. (Hebrews 2:6-8) “But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” Psalms 8:4-8

 

It is through His grace that those who are ‘in Christ’ will share in His glorious reign. When God raises us up in Christ we possess a dominion that Adam would never have known had he remained innocent all his days.

 

We will be given a new name. It is interesting to see that what Nimrod and the people of his days wanted was to make a name for themselves, but God gives us a new name through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Genesis 11 we learn that they wanted to make a name for themselves, but in Genesis 12, where Abram is chosen, we read “I will make your name great.”

 

Later in his life we read that God gave to Abram the name Abraham. Genesis 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”

 

Most of the world, with the different religions, are like Nimrod leaving God out of the picture and trying to gain their own righteousness, but His righteousness is being offered to us by grace through the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Needless to say that reformation brings us back to this truth: IT IS ALL GRACE AND NOTHING OF WORKS.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, please hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help, and help me to stand up for Your truth.

 

Son, I am sending My children prophets, wise men and teachers, so obey whatever they tell you. Some of these leaders of Mine will be killed, beaten, and chased from city to city.  They will face hostility even from so called churches by people that say, “These leaders are crazy fools!” But these leaders of Mine are watchmen preparing My children for what is coming. For the time of punishment has come, and it will be a terrible day when I turn away and leave!

 

The false prophets and leaders of today spout empty words and make promises they don’t intend to keep. Therefore, injustice springs up among My people like poisonous weeds. So My children do not follow what they teach. Everything they do is for show and profit.

 

My children must think about all that I said, and ask themselves, “What are we going to do? Who’s going to speak up for God’s truth and with true wisdom for this day; for these leaders have committed a terrible and shameful crime by not speaking what is right and true.”

 

I tell you the truth, judgment has begun, and My children will be hated all over the world because they are My faithful followers. They must prayerfully plow up hard hearts and make them ready to receive My seeds of salvation and righteousness. They will preach My Good News throughout the whole world; for now is the time to seek Me. Every nation will hear it and then the end will come. Heaven and earth may disappear, but My Word remains forever and fulfilled.

 

Son, to the faithful I show My faithfulness, so be ready at all times to speak and act for Me. Do not be afraid. I will rescue the humble but humiliate the proud. My way is perfect. My promises are trustworthy. I am the shield for all who look to Me for protection.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Soon, you will want to marry and have a family. But let me tell you what kind of woman you should stay away from. She will be the one who will catch your eye, because she knows what will attract you. She will say, “How can you tell me, ‘I love you,’ when you don’t share your secrets with me?” She will torment you with her nagging day after day until you are sick to death of it. She will manipulate you by trying to make you feel guilty until you have no strength left. You will be so warn out trying to please her that you won’t realize that you have spent no time with your Lord – to know what truly pleases Him. You will become a man with no vision, bound with chains of guilt, and forced to grind out a living that is never enough.

 

When you marry you are no longer two but one. God has said that no one better split apart what God has joined together.  If you want a great family then lead your family by following the Lord, not your wife. Humanly speaking, this might seem impossible, but remember that with God everything is possible. When you lead – you must lead by being a servant. Show her what true love is by getting to know her beyond her beauty. Lead your wife and children as a man being lead by the Lord; for the Lord will cover you.

 

Lord, I give my grandsons to you, and I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You will answer my prayer by each of them recognizing a jezebel woman. You will show them each the wife best for them, and they will be blessed like I have been blessed.  

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, it seems that there is very little faithfulness, kindness and knowledge of You. People make promises only to break them. There is violence everywhere, one murder after another; the wicked strut about and evil is praised. The foundations of law and order have collapsed, so what can Your children do?

 

Son, in the last days there will be a great revival, when people will tremble in awe of Me and of My goodness. They will return and devote themselves to Me. For My children love righteousness and justice; they will see My face. They will remember that all of My promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace; purified seven times over. They know I protect them and preserving them forever. 

 

When My children realize that if they have faith even as small as a mustard seed, they can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing will be impossible. When they agree on anything and ask My Father in heaven – He will do it for them. When two or three are together in My Name they will know that I am there. So My children, be humble and keep your heart sensitive towards Spirit and be obedient to My word.

 

I am coming SOON!